Fake TV News

FOX to Be Fined by FCC for Fake News; CMD's Complaint on "Video News Releases" Nets New Proposed Fines

by Lisa Graves — March 24, 2011 - 9:41pm

A FOX News station has been sent a notice of a proposed fine for airing fake news in the form of a "video news release" (VNR) without disclosing that the "news" segment featuring General Motors was produced to promote GM's cars.

As Jonathan Make reports in Communications Daily, the Federal Communications Commission has issued a notice of a proposed fine to FOX's Minneapolis affiliate for what amounted to a commercial for GM's convertibles masquerading as news. The VNR had been provided to the station by "FOX News Edge," which is described as "a news service for broadcast stations affiliated with the FOX Network."

Main Source: 
Communications Daily

Shareholders Approve Takeover of Medialink Worldwide

by Bob Burton — September 28, 2009 - 5:17am

Medialink Worldwide -- the largest producer of video news releases and audio news releases -- has announced that shareholders approved a proposal to merge with TNM Group, a subsidiary of The NewsMarket.

Main Source: 
Medialink Worldwide, Media release, September 25, 2009

One Stimulus Response: Fake News

by Diane Farsetta — July 29, 2009 - 1:04pm

"You can't pretend like you are broadcasting news when it is a paid advertisement," said Senator Claire McCaskill, urging the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to take action against "ads that mimic newscasts, with actors or even news anchors from a TV station," reports Broadcasting & Cable.

Main Source: 
Broadcasting & Cable, July 22, 2009

The Best Media Chevron Can Buy

by Diane Farsetta — May 13, 2009 - 1:47pm

When Chevron "learned that '60 Minutes' was preparing a potentially damaging report," it "hired a former journalist" to tell its side of the story. For five months, former CNN reporter Gene Randall worked for the oil company.

Main Source: 
New York Times, May 10, 2009

Don't Worry About Larry

by Bob Burton — May 5, 2009 - 3:35pm
  • Topics: Video News Releases, Economy, Fake TV News

    • Medialink Worldwide, the largest producer of video news releases and audio news releases, may be crashing and burning with the market downturn but the company's President, CEO and Chairman, Larry M

    Fake News Not Quite Dead Yet

    by Diane Farsetta — April 28, 2009 - 9:36am

    Despite the financial woes of the public relations firm Medialink Worldwide, which specializes in audio news releases and video news releases, PR Week claims that fake news is recession-proof.

    Main Source: 
    PR Week, April 20, 2009

    Nasdaq Sets Deadline for Medialink Delisting

    by Bob Burton — April 27, 2009 - 4:14am

    Medialink Worldwide, the largest producer of fake news products such as video news releases (VNRs) and audio news releases (ANRs), reported that on April 20 it was notified by the Nasdaq Stock Market that shareholder equity in the company at the end of December

    Main Source: 
    Medialink Worldwide Media Release, April 24, 2009

    LA Times "Innovates" with Front Page Fake News

    by John Stauber — April 10, 2009 - 12:30pm

    The Los Angeles Times is breaking new ground in the fake news business. The Associated Press reports that the paper "took the unusual step Thursday of running a front-page advertisement that resembles a news story.

    Main Source: 
    Associated Press, April 9, 2009
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